Vehicle frame and detachable power-unit apparatus



-July 8, 1930. P. R. MORRISON 1,770,279

VEHICLE FRAME AND DETACHABLE POWER UNIT APPARATUS Filed April 1'7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l .y R. O NN N Shaw. m w. n mN. nl@ 5N. WNJU/N MJ m o o|l|. Y mi Mv lvl m, NN |05 QN Uh i @A r J\ Hl in I, um L mJN oQ WN. W U b bk QN m U P is BY W N July 8, 1930. I P, R, MORR|$ON 1,770,279

VEHICLE FRAME AND DETACHABLE POWER UNIT APPARATUS l Filed April 1'7, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 C 1NVENToR.` Maag/sw FM 'Bymw ATTORNEY Patented July l8, 1.930w

UNITED STATES.

PAIENIl OFFICE `i` PAUL It. MORRISON, Ol? SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 MODERN v:MACHINE AND AUTO BODY C0., OF`SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA,V

VEHICLE FRAME AND DErAcHABLnPoWna-UNIT ArPARArUs Application lfiled April 17,

My invention relates to a detachable power unit and vehicle frame apparatus and the objects of my invention are: first, to provide an apparatus of this class in which the drive '5 wheels, power unit, and connectingmecha-- nism form a single readily detachable unit of a vehicle; second, to provide an apparatus of this class in which the drivewheels'serve as a fulcrum of a frame of which the one extended portion supports the power unit while the V other end portion is pivotally connected to the I vehicle,the frame thereby forming a lever lby the act of removing the ',power unit;

f0urth,.to provide an apparatus of this class which is especially adapted for large vehicles such as trucks, stages or buses; fifth, to provide an apparatus -of this class in which the power unit whendetached from the vehicle may be readily moved from under-said vehicle, lsaid power unit being supported by the drive wheels at the one end androllers at the other end thereof; sixth, to provide anapparatus of this classin which the weight of the power unit supplies much ofthe force for lifting the one end of the'vehicle in order to remove said power unit from .under said vehicle; seventh, to provide an apparatus of this class in which the ower unit supporting frame is interlocked w1th the vehicle chassis frame in such'a way that aminimum number of bolts or other securing-means are needed, thus facilitating the rapid separation of they ,power unit from the vehicle for removing` and ninth, to provide a device of this class which is extremely simple of construction proportionate to its functions, reliable, safe,

`eiiicient in its action and which will not readily deteriorate orv get out oforder. l

With these and other objects in view as will vappear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novelfeatures of construction, com- 1928.- Serial No. 270,623.

Ipanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of lthis application in which Figure 1 is a, side elevational view of a vehicle embodying my apparatus with the forward portion thereof broken away and in section and with parts and portions removed to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged sectional view of the power unit and chassis lframe through the line 2 2 of Fig. 6; Fig. v3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view/through 3 3 of Fig. 2 with parts and portions in elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through 4 4 of Fig. 6 with parts and portions shownin elevation to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 5 is a slightly 'reduced fragmentary plan view from the line 5 5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a -fragmentary top or plan view of the power unit with parts and v,portions broken away to facilitate the illusutration; Fig. 7lis an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the end of the power unit frame and the vehicle yprop member which comes into play when the power unit is being removed; Fig. 8. is a sectional view thereof through 8 8 of Fig. 7 showing the chassis frame prop in supporting position;

and Fig y9 is a'fragmentary sectional View through 9 9 of Fig. 7

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and Yportions throughoutthe l several views of the drawings.

The body 1, chassis frame 2, side guard members 3, front guard member 4, hinge members 5, power unit frame 6, drivel-shaft housing 7, drive wheels 8, engine support 9, guide members 10, rollers 11, engine 12, propeller shaft 13, differential housing 14, s ring perches 15, spring shackle 16, springs 1 ,.reinforcing members 18, plate members 19, chassis frame props 20, constitute the principal parts and portions of my detachable power unitI and vehicle frame apparatus.

The vehicle body 1 which is shown is a bus but any other type of body may be used.

bination and arrangement of parts and port The vehicle chassis frame 2 consists of two longitudinally extending members with suittions as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set fourth in the appended longitudinal bracings 2 able cross bracing, not shown, and suitable which reinforce the the chassis frame, thus tending to interlock.

. relation.

chassis :trame between the front and rear wheels of the vehicle. The side y.margins ora the vehicleare reinforced by side guard members dwhich are curved at their forward ends and secured to the outer side ends or" the chassis frame 2 as shown'hest in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The two longitudinal members of the chassis :trame are connected at their orward ends to a front guard member 4' by means of hinge members The power unit which includes the wheels, axle therefor, engine and connecting mechanism is supported by a power unit frame .6. IThe power unit :trame 6 is secured to the'un-` der surface of the forward portion of the chassis frame. 'llhe chassis rameis olset at 2*' in order to clear the drive axle housing 7 which is connected to the drive wheels 8. Gii'sets 6b are provided in the power unit frame 6 which coincide with the oii'sets 2" in sai chassis rameand power unit frame against lateral movement when in alined position.

Engine supports 9 are provided which support the forward and rear ends of the engine 12,'as shown best in Figs. 2 and 6 of the drawings. Each end of each engine sup-` port is provided with a guide member 10 which is substantially Usha ed' in cross sec` tion, the cross portion of which fits under thepower unit frame and the legs 10a thereo are secured to the sides ofthe power unit; frame and extend upwardly and adjacent to the sides of the chassis frame 2, as shown best in Fig. 3 of the drawings. rlhe guide members 10 holdthe chassis frame and power unit frame from relative side movement and also serve to center the power unit frame relative to the chassis frame when positioning the power unit in place. through the guide members 1() and hold the chassis frame and power unit frame in rigid The hinge members also serve as a urther means of holding the chassis frame and power unit frame together, as shown best in Figl of the drawings. The one portion 5a of each hinge is secured toan end of the chassis frame. The other portion 5b, which is substantially L-shaped, is secured to the of the power unit when it is removed from near its one endbetween the Bolts 1()b extendy The other bolts` 1/0" junction .of the enginesupports with the ,are

the vehicle, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1' of the drawings.

' The engine 12 which is secured on the en- -gme supports 9 is connected through a pro- -peller shaft 13 tothe differential Ahousing 14 which in turn is 'connected to the drive axle houslng 7. lt is preferred to mount the transmission portion of the engine at the forward side thereof in order to use a drive shaft of suiiicient length to permit movement of the drive axle and yet keep the power unity in as small a 'space as possible.

The rear extended portion 6 of thepower unitframe 6 is reinforced by a brace mem-v ber 6B secured between the rear spring perch and the extremity of said extended end. rllhe rear ends of the power unit frame 6 are provided with a reinforcing member 18; `The reinforcing member 18, one for each side of the power unit frame 6, is pivotally secured between the lower portions of'plate members 19 which are secured to either side of the chassis -frame 2 therefrom,

A pair of spring perches 15 are mounted at the forward and rear terminus of the offset portion 6b. A shackle 16 is connected to one of the porches, aV conventional spring 17 is mounted between the shackel 16 and the other perch'15. The axle housing 7 which carries the drive axle is secured to the spring 17 in any suitable manner. i

A chassis frame prop 2O is also pivoted lower portion of the plate members 19. When the power unit isvin place the chassis frame prop 20 is held in a horizontal position bv means of a pin 18b betweenupwardly exten ing portions 18a of the reinforcing member 18.

and extends downwardly lf desired the ortion of the chassis frame I and power unit ame opposite the 'one side of the engine may be offset to provide space for the steering apparatus and other'mechal nism, not shown.

'i In removing the power .unit from the, ve-

hicle,- the bolts 5 are removed from the hinge 5 and the hinge moved tothe position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings. which extend through the chassis frame and power unit frame are removed. The power unlt framemay be then pivoted about the axle of the drive wheels until the rollersll are resting on the iloor, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings.

As'theengine is lowered the opposite ex tended ends 'ofv the power unit frame are raised causing the chassis props,after the 'pins 18b have been removed, to assume a vertical position, as shown bythe dotted lines 'in Figs. 1 and 7 of thedrawmgs. `When the rollers 11 reach the floor the props 20 may be secured` in their vertical position and the reinforclngmember i8 disconnected from the vlll) plate members 1 9. The vehicle body and chassis frame is raised by the downward vmovement of the engine until, when in the po'- sition shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1` of the drawings, the power unit may. be wheeled out from under'thc vehicle. i

`Though I have'shownand described a particular construction, combination and arrangement ,of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention` the construction, combination and arrangement substantiallyas set forth `in the appended'claims.

Having thus described'my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let'- ters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle, a chassis frame, a second frame mounted under said chassis frame and contiguous thereto, meansfor pivotally con-' necting said second frame in ahorizontal axis and at its one end to said chassis frame, a driving wheel mechanism supporting said second frame intermediate theends thereof,

and a power mechanism mounted between the 4 l other end of said second frame and said driving wheel mechanism.

, 2. In a vehicle, a chassis frame, a second frame mounted under said .chassis frame and contiguous thereto, means for pivotally connecting said second frame in a horizontal axis and at its one end to said chassis'frame, a'v

driving Wheel mechanism .supporting said second frame intermediate the ends thereof, a power mechanism mounted between the other end .of said second frame and saididriving wheel mechanism, and means for detachably securing said second frame Vrelative to said chassis frame. y

3. In a vehicle,` a chassis frame, a second v frame mounted under said chassis ,frame and frame in operative' position to ,said edrive contiguous thereto, a driving wheel mechanism mounted intermediate the ends of said second frame, a power mechanism mounted on the one extended portion of said second wheel mechanism, andV means for pivoting said second frame about the drive wheels of said drive .wheel mechanism and coinciden-` tally raising said chassis frame.

4. In a lvehicle, achassis frame, a vsecond frame mounted underl said chassis frame and contiguous thereto, ya drivingwheel mechanism mounted intermediate the ends of said second frame, a power mechanism mounted on the one extended portion of said second fra/mev in operative position .to said drive wheel mechanism, means forplvoting sald secondframe about thedrive wheels'of saiddrive wheel; mechanism and coincidentally raising said chassis frame and rollermeans for supporting the 'one extended end of said second rame'when in its pivoted position.

' 5. In a vehicle, a chassis frame, a second sition thereof.

6. In a vehicle,a chassis frame, as econd lframe mounted under said lchassis framel and movable thereto, means for securing said second frame 1n a contiguous position to said chassis frame,A a drive wheel mechanism mounted intermediate the ends of said second frame, a power mechanism mounted near y the one extended end ofl said second frame,

said second frame pivotableabout the drive wheel of saiddrive wheel mechanism causing )an elevational movement of said chassis trame with the pivotal movement of said second frame, roller means for supporting said power mechanism .when saidy secon frame is in its pivoted position and automatic y means operatedby said second frame for securing said chass1s'-frame 1n the elevated po- 7. In a vehicle, a chassis frame, 'a second 4 frame mounted under said chassis frame and contiguous thereto, a driving wheel mechanism mounted intermediate the ends of said on the one extended portion of said second frame in operative position to said drive vwheel jmechanism, means for pivoting' saidv second frame about vthe drive wheels of said drive wheel mechanism and-.coincidentally raising said chassis frame, roller means for supporting the'one extended end of said second frame whenrin its pivoted position, auto- .second frame, a power mechanism mounted matic vmeans operated by said second frame l for securing said 'chassisframe in the raised posltion thereof.

8. 'In a vehicle, a chassis frame, a second frame mounted under said chassis frame and 'contiguous' thereto, ysaid second `frame pivotally connected at -itsone end to said chassis frame, `a driving wheel mechanism mounted intermediate the ends of said second frame',

a power mechanism mounted between the'` other end of-saidsecond frame andy said vdriv-` ling wheel mechanism, means for-interlocking I and securingsaid second frame relative to said chassis frame, said second framev pivotable about the drive-wheels of said drive wheel mehanismfand adapted to raise said. v

chassis frame, automatic means operated by l. said second 'iframevfor securing said chassis .fra-me in thel ralsed A osition thereof.

' 9., 'In a vehicle, a c assis rame, a pa1r of uwheels for supporting the o'neend portion of wheels supporting the one end portion of said chassis frame, a power unit frame, a second pair of wheels supporting said power unit frame intermediate its ends, means for pivotally connecting'` said second Aframe to said first frame in a horizontal axis intermedi'ate the axes of saidrst and second wheels, and means for ydetachably securing said frames in overlapping relation. Y,

10. In a vehicle, a chassis frame, a pair of Madere relative to said body as to canse a moment to be exerted relative to the axis of said Wheels in a reverse direction to that trans-1 mitted to said irst frame, the balance of said moments beingsuch as to cause said power unit to be lowered and ,thevcontiguous portion of said chassis frame to be raised.

YIn testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at day-of April, 1928.

i A PAUL R. MORRISON.V

c said vfra-me, a power unit-frame, a pair of wheels supporting said second'frame intermediate the ends. thereof, said second frame l pivot around the axis of the' wheels thereon Y frame intermediate the ends thereof, a power 145 y tion of said firstl frame,

connecting th inner end of said second frame `vsaidpower unit.

" first frame substantially positioned contiguous to the other end pormeans for pivotally an Diego, California, this 7th to said first frame, othermeans for detachably securing said frames together,.a power unit supported on said second 4frame in such I a manner as to cause said second frame to on removal of said securing means and to swlng said rst frame above ,and clear of 11. Ina vehicle, a chassis framefwheels 'supporting the rear portion of said frame, la

power unit frame, wheels supporting said second frame andthe forward portion of said horizontally, 'said second frame extendin to a position intermediate the axesv of said wheels,rneans enabling said second frame to be pivoted around unit mounted on the one'end ofsaid second frame and adapted-to cause a turning mo- V ment with respect to the axisof said latter frame extending contiguous wheels,means for transmitting said moment to said first frame for raisin the forward end thereof clear ofthe-porti n of said second frame supporting said power unit.

13. In a vehicle, a body, ai chassis frame supporting said body, wheels supporting the rea-r portlon of said frame, a. power'- unit "with and supporting the forward portion of said first frame, wheels for supporting said second fra-me, a power unit mountedon said second,` frame, sald power unlt belng so related toY the axis of said wheels as to causea turning moment'relative thereto -m'fa given dlrectlon,

means for transmitting said moment to said p rst frame at a point 4intermediate said rear and front wheels, the .wheels supporting the rear of said chassis frame being so positioned 

